IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE (PVL)

(Joshua 6:1-27)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 7th May 2000
 
Have you been saying: “Life doesn’t make sense?” You are right, it doesn’t.

I. WHEN GOD’S STRATEGY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE (6:1-20)

1. LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS-EVEN WHEN IT DEFIES LOGIC (:1-5)
It was no ordinary strategy. What God was about to command Joshua to do was strange indeed compared to the battle techniques he had used on previous occasions. It would appear to be a ridiculous and bizarre battle plan. See. Isa.55:8-9.

Hudson Taylor: 3 different ways to serve the Lord
- to make the best plans we can and hope they succeed
- to make our own plans and ask God to bless them or
- to ask God for His plans and then do what He tells us to do.

2. OBEY-EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND (:6-15)
The guiding principle for Joshua was that once the mind of God was indicated, there was nothing for him to do than to obey. The fact is that Joshua didn’t play religious games. He believed God and was willing to act on God’s instructions. No matter how foolish he would look, he was prepared to do what God wanted him to do. It is straightforward trust and obedience that has enabled God’s people through all history to make a difference.

3. SHOUT FAITH-EVEN WHEN WHEN IT SEEMS FOOLISH (Josh.6:16-20)
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days” (Heb.11:30). This was a shout of faith; they believed the walls of Jericho would fall. It’s by faith that our walls of Jericho fell down. It was the Ark of the Covenant, representing the presence of the Lord, not human energy, that carried the day.

II. WHEN GOD’S DEALING/WAY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE
(6:21-27)

WHAT KIND OF A GOD WOULD DO THAT? (6:21)
It disturbs some people that God commanded every living thing in Jericho to be killed, including women, children and animals…This passage described the literal slaughter of men and women, young and old, done in the name of obedience to God. In contemporary times, such activity could very well be followed by a war-crimes trial. How can a good God act in such an “arbitrary” way?

1. A HOLY GOD

God is perpetually at war with sin (G Campbell Morgan)

That is the whole explanation of the extermination of the Canaanites. The civilization in Canaan was unspeakably wicked. Jericho will join other doomed and sinning cities such as Babel (Gen.11:4), Sodom (Gen.19-4-29), Nineveh (Nah.3:1), Tyre (Ezek.26:17-19), Babylon (Jer.50:23) and even Rome (Rev.18:10).

Main theme of the Bible is God’s holy warfare against Satan and sin. In the destruction of Jericho and its population God is telling us that He will tolerate no compromise with sin in the lives of His people. God cannot wink at sin. Whatever contaminated the religion of His people, leading to inevitable compromise, was to be utterly destroyed. Sin is contagious and cannot go unpunished. A milignancy must be surgically removed.

2. A GOD OF MERCY

God Gives Opportunities to Repent

Why would He have Israel march around Jericho for seven days? Some believe the process was solely for Israel – to teach them faith and obedience. Certainly this was involved. There’s another reason – God gave the people of Jericho seven more days to turn from their sins. As Israel marched around the walls of Jericho, it seems that God was saying once for all, “Judgment is coming! Repent and turn from your sins!” With each day, the final hour was growing closer, and it reached a grand crescendo on the seventh day as the people marched around the city seven times. And seven times God was saying “Repent!” God never judged people (including Sodom and Gomorrah) without warning them numerous times that He was going to destroy them because of their idolatry and immorality. Again and again we see God’s love, grace, mercy, and patience in the OT. It’s true that few people repented, but when they did, God relented and preserved them.

3. A GOD OF GRACE

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

The Jericho story is much more than just one of promiscuous massacre. This is the story of a sensitive, caring God who initiates His infinite grace. It is fascinating to observe how the writer mentions the destruction of Jericho and in the same written expression mentions the salvation of Rahab (:24,25). God knew that inside the doomed city was a sinful woman who hungered for righteousness, for a new life. God delivered her from Jericho and ultimately drafted her into the very genealogy of the promised Messiah. This is the same God who yearned for His people to be a holy people, a people uncontaminated by what would destroy their spirituality and personal vitality.

“The Lord…is patient…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

This is still Gods attitude. It has been His attitude toward the whole world since Adam sinned in the Garden. In these last days through Jesus Christ, He has been reaching out to all people. His long-suffering is obvious.

Jesus Christ is still waiting for people to turn to Him. In His mysterious and sovereign way, He is delaying His return to earth because He desires that all people be saved. what about you? Have you personally received Jesus Christ to be your Savior from sin? Don’t put off this important decision any longer. Receive Him and His forgiveness today.